Review: Powers John’s Lane and Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy

August 12th, 2011

Here’s our review of the two new single pot still Irish whiskeys from Midleton

Powers John’s Lane, 46%, €55

Wow! Could this be the greatest comeback since Rocky climbed back in the ring and showed the young upstarts who was the boss? It’s taken Irish Distillers a long time to respond to the pounding it’s taken from Cooley but it’s back in the ring with two wonderful pot still whiskeys. This is the better of the two, a whopping oily, woody package of classic pot still Irishness. The green fruits tumble over tannin and spice like frisky puppies. —Dominic Roskrow

Advanced Malt Advocate magazine rating: 94

Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy, 46%, €160

Like the man himself, this is altogether more considered and elegant, mixing whiskeys up to 25 years old for a complex and less bruising experience than the Powers. Instead, lemon and lime zest, kumquat, and blood orange entwine themselves around vanilla, nutmeg, and soft, drying tannins. No big knockout punches, but it goes the distance and wins unanimously and easily on points. —Dominic Roskrow

Just put these two on my Euro shopping list for next month. While it is great to see some new Irish hitting the market, I am still very concerned over the fate of Green Spot. It is still my “go to” for pure pot still refreshment at a price that is remarkably budget conscious.

Great….two more to add to my shopping list. I picked up the Midleton Very Rare early this year and like it very much. I’ve liked bourbon for a very long time but Irish Pot Still is really ringing my bell.

I honestly think there is no greater bargain in the whiskey world than the Powers John’s Lane. If they trebled the price to match the Barry Crockett, it would still be decent value. It’s an absolutely spectacular dram. The reviewer here is not exaggerating one iota.
Pace JohnM, I don’t think the Crockett quite matches it, though it does very much emulate all the best character of the Midleton Very Rare which it is based upon.
@Ryan: I do appreciate what you say about IDL/Pernod Ricard’s distribution policy. It must be as frustrating as my trying to get small-batch bourbon over here. My understanding is that IDL intend to go heavily down promoting single pot still, and that means worldwide. This launch is just the debut. There will be more releases in future years (expect a Red Spot and a Yellow Spot) and they will go around the globe.
I would add that, much as I like Crested Ten, you’re not missing a classic there. the two Midleton single casks, I felt, were overpriced even before the exchange rate and postage is factored in. And even on this side of the pond, the Signature Reserve is travel retail only.
But if you like potstill whiskey, I can honestly say that the John’s Lane comes close to perfection as I’ve tasted. And at the price point they’ve put it at, it might well be worth the added cost of exchange and shipping.